Why I "heart" Swimming

Why I "heart" Swimming

I love swimming. I really, really do. What is cool is the American Council of Exercise backs me up on this one. So if you are not already in love with the pool here are a few reasons to consider starting an affair with swimming.

The buoyancy of water reduces the "weight" of a person by about 90 percent, so it is a great form of cardio if you have problems with any of your weight bearing joints or arthritis. This is also the reason it is recommended to folks with back problems and pregnant women.

While swimming may not tax your knee joints like running does, it will give you a great cardiovascular work out while working your muscular strength and endurance, as well as your flexibility.

The resistance of water is perfect for a strength-training workout - instead of weights, the water itself provides the resistance.

Swimming is meditative. You really focus on your breath (since you are not listening to music) and the feel of the water on your skin. I feel relaxed after a run, but I feel relaxed while I am swimming.

When swimming, your arms work way more than your legs making swimming a perfect complement to running or biking.

I am always telling you to mix up your workouts, and those are my reasons to throw swimming into the mix.

Swimming is a GREAT workout! I feel that it's therapeutic and an excellent alternative to running - if not even more intense since you are working both your upper and lower body. There are so many different techniques/strokes that can be used to target the area you want to work out. Trying to master the breathing rhythm also gives your heart and lungs a vigorous workout - which in the long run helps your endurance. I'm ALL for the swimming :woohoo:

My husband took me to the pool right after I had our baby. I have always been a runner, but I decided to give it a try...LOVED IT! I lost all but 4 lbs. of my baby weight in three months (and I gained 50 while I was preggers, so I had A LOT to lose). I still run, but swimming is my new favorite.

Try a swim aerobics class, swim pilates, swim yoga or a water cardio or sculpt class--they are great. Try water tai chi for total relaxation in the water. If you are not enthralled with a class, try another or a different instructor. Each class I attend is 45 minutes and I try to take 2 back-to-back.